Fuel lighter



Patented June 19, 1928.

UNITED. STATES FRIEDRICH JOSEF DIEDERICHS, or nnnnrmenmvmn FUEL LIGHTER.

No Drawing. Application filed .Tune5, 1926, Serial 80.114927, and inGermany April 15, 1926.

Fuel-lighters have become known which consist of a mixture of saw dustand easily ignitable substances so that they can be ignited by thecommonly used means. Owing to the low ignition point these fuel lightersare liable to catch fire easily so that they are dangerous under someconditions and cannot be used everywhere.

This invention has for its object to create a fuel-lighter, consistingpreferably also of saw dust or wood-shavings, which are intimately mixedwith a substance generating oxygen but not explosive. In order to obtainthe highest possible combustion point, the mass is impregnated with oilswhich are diflicult to ignite so that a combustion point of hightemperature, e. g. above 600 0., is obtained. In this state any dangerof catching fire is avoided, so that the mass may be used also where,under any circumstances, i nition at low temperature must be avoided. Ior the purpose of igniting the mass, primers, burning at hightemperature and of known type, are used. Owing to the slow developmentof temperature the mass cannot be ignited with an ordinary match.Several seconds after this mass has been ignited its entire surface willburn, and develop, owing to the generating of oxygen at the combustion,such a high temperature that after a short time the fuel has beenignited. The igniting-mass is further distinguished in that it iseffective also in small quantities, burning also in this case with bigflames of high temperature.

The process for manufacturing the mass for igniting fuel is carried outas follows In a IIllXlIlg machine of convenient type saw dust,wood-shavings and other convenient material areintimately admixed withproducts generating oxygen, (for instance peroxides and superoxides,especially barium peroxide, barium superoxide and potassium perchlorate)and oils possessing a high combustion-point, such as a highly distilledmineral oil poor in hydrocarbons and having a high flash point so as togive the mixture a high combustion point, e. g., 600 C.

According to whether a rich or poor prodnot has to be produced amaterial is selected which generates oxygen more or less easily. Afterintimate admixing, the product obtained, which does not require anysubsequent treatment, can be compressed in any quantity andmoulded,\tl1e briquettes obtained being ready for use. In accordancewith the quantity of fuel to be ignited a greater or lesser portion ofigniting mass is used. The mass is adapted for igniting large furnacesfor instance of locomotives and other large plants, or for steam heatingplants as well as for domestic use.

For the mixing and the inflammation point of the mixture .is ofimportance, aside from the flash point of the oil, and the oxygencarrier,'the granulation (size of the grain of the basic substance) aswell as the relative proportions of the three.

A suitable mixture is for instance (1) 500 gr. saw dust of a grain aboutthe size of a pin head. 350 gr. oil of a flash point of about 270 C. p100 gr. potassium perchlorate.

(2) 600 gr. saw dust as above.

300 gr. oil of a flash point of about 270 C. 100 gr. barium superoxide.

The kindling temperature of the mixture rises according to the degree offineness to which the basic substance is pulverized and the amount ofthe oxygen carrier used. If the basic substance is very finely powdered,ignition can be obtained with pyrotechnic woods at 600 (1, if duringcombustion the material is shaken, or the oxygen carrier, for instance,potassium perchlorate must be used, in a more coarse state and in arelatively larger amount, say 20% of the total mixture.

The stated examples have been proven to give good results. The materialreadily ignites and burns down without further at tention. For alocomotive, for instance, a brick of about 1 kilogram (2.2 pds.)suifices. It will burn for about 35 minutes. If two fires are to be lit,then 2 bricks are used, of about 1.1 pds. each, burning time each about20 minutes. Without the use of ordinary fuel wood, anthracite,briquettes, also hardest fused coke, will readily be ignited.

Experiments have shown, that by an igniting-mass of about 500 gr. thefurnace of a large size steam-heating plant can be ignited without theassistance of other means. Under the hitherto prevailin circumstancesabout 1,3 to 1,5 meter on e of wood is required for this purpose. The

igniting of fuel with the mass prepared according to the invention doesnot only save considerable expense but also much time.

I claim:-

1. A fuel igniter comprising comminuted wood mixed with a non-explosivechemical substance having the capability of generatin oxygen in thepresence of heat, and a dii'heultly ignitable mineral oil.

2. A fuel igniter comprising comminuted wood mixed with a non-explosiveperoxide and a difficultly ignitable mineral oil.

3. A fuel igniter comprising comminui'ed Wood mixed with u non-explosiveClIGITllCfll substance having the capability of gener ating oxygen inthe presence of heat, and a mineral oil poor in hydrocarbons and havinga high flash point such as to produce in e01nbination with the twofirst-named ingredients a mixture whose combustion point is 20 about 600C.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

F. JOS. DIEDERIGHS.

